The Albrecht von Haller Young Investigator Award 2022 of the Swiss Heart Foundation goes to the young researcher Dr. Stefano Ministrini. His research project aims to further improve treatment after an acute cerebral stroke. Ministrini is on the trail of a new therapy that could have a significant impact on the course of the disease. Three outstanding doctoral theses were also honored at the award ceremony on January 26 in Bern.
Stefano Ministrini, a junior researcher at the Center for Molecular Cardiology at the University of Zurich, is the recipient of the Albrecht von Haller Young Investigator Award 2022. He is investigating the question of how to stabilize the cerebral vessels in the event of an acute cerebral stroke. Ministrini is investigating what promotes injury to the endothelium, the inner layer of the vessels. The JCAD protein appears to play an important role in this process. This protein promotes inflammatory processes and prevents the regeneration of damaged endothelial cells.
Approach for new stroke therapy
The research project will first investigate the specific influence of the JCAD protein in ischemic stroke. In a further step, RNA interference will be used to interrupt the production of the JCAD protein. The fact that this represents an innovative approach for future drug-based cerebral stroke therapy convinced the jury of the Swiss Heart Foundation, which awarded the prize of 25,000 Swiss francs. At the award ceremony on January 26 in the historic Hallersaal of the Burgerbibliothek in Bern, the dissertations of Gabriel Bronz (Università della Svizzera italiana), Nathalie Wussler (University of Fribourg i.B.) and Supitchaya Philippoz (Université de Genève) were also awarded 2,000 francs each.
The Albrecht von Haller Young Investigator Award
The Albrecht von Haller Young Investigator Award is given annually to young researchers for outstanding scientific achievements in the cardiovascular field. The award considers interdisciplinary projects in addition to cardiovascular research. It serves to promote the academic progress of young researchers or physicians and thus to improve the health care of cardiovascular patients. The prize is endowed with 25,000 Swiss francs for an innovative project and 2000 Swiss francs each for three outstanding doctoral theses. It is awarded by the Swiss Heart Foundation thanks to an unrestricted grant from Boehringer Ingelheim (Switzerland).
Swiss Heart Foundation: Active against heart disease and stroke
The Swiss Heart Foundation works to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and stroke, to prevent people from becoming disabled or dying prematurely from cardiovascular disease, and to ensure that life remains worth living for those affected by cardiovascular disease by funding research and providing comprehensive information. Founded in 1967, the Swiss Heart Foundation is an independent non-profit organization certified by the ZEWO foundation and financed mainly by donations.
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